Research
My research, design and teaching agendas are positioned within the field of digital architecture, despite of my criticisms towards pure parametric and algorithmic computerised architecture. Instead I favour a synthetic digital design process that achieves the hybridisation of technological parameters and phenomenological properties, implying an approach that develops from inside out, involving experiential qualities, inhabitation and use.
The objectives are to widen the vocabulary of digital architecture, to redefine the digital avant-garde and to bridge the gap between academia and practice, pushing the boundaries of the discipline by transferring academic research explorations into the professional practice and vice versa. The methodology employs 2D, 3D and 4D software packages, Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC), Rapid Protoyping (RP), Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies to investigate future trajectories of digital design.
I believe that ‘original digitality’, because embedded within a wider technological and human context, ought to be defined and fashioned both in design (projects), as well as in text (theory). Consequently, my own research is developed in such twofold manner. The two are intrinsically related, whereby the writing is not to be misunderstood as a description of the projects or the design work as an illustration of the text. Instead, the design is informed by the research as much as the research is driven by the design, and it is intrinsic to the nature of this modus operandi
to strive for rigour and for originality at the same time. It may be described as 'propositional research'.
to strive for rigour and for originality at the same time. It may be described as 'propositional research'.
My whole research is dedicated to the discovery—i.e. what already exists, and what still is to be found—of digitality within the context of hybridity and synthesis of technē (craftsmanship) and poiēsis (art). Various strands of investigation can be delineated, branching out of my Ph.D. in Digital Architectural Design and Theory finished in 2008, my collaborative work with marcosandmarjan and my teaching activity in Diploma Unit 20 and DS10:
1) Phenomenology (cognition, interaction, feedback)
Research on a phenomenological, poetic and humanistic approach of digital technologies (advances in software and hardware).
Research on a phenomenological, poetic and humanistic approach of digital technologies (advances in software and hardware).
• 2008-… 3D Moodle.
3D digital Model Toolkit, Browser Tools + 3D Model Archive.
E-learning development research proposal (PI Dr. Marjan Colletti with S Küppers), and initial phase of AC_DC (Architectural Curriculum in Design Computing). With a critical eye directed at the morphological changes of education within the discipline of architecture, the AC_DC evolves around the concepts of elearning, networking, and open-sourcing. The main objectives were to develop a 3D enriched virtual learning environment integrated with a 3D archive mechanism of digital models and images of student work, in combination with possible linking mechanism to future UCL/Bartlett tools such as a renderfarm and the Digital Manufacturing facility in Wates House. It is one of my prerogatives to continue developing AC_DC and its research agenda and to promote the design output resulting from its advances.
E-learning development research proposal (PI Dr. Marjan Colletti with S Küppers), and initial phase of AC_DC (Architectural Curriculum in Design Computing). With a critical eye directed at the morphological changes of education within the discipline of architecture, the AC_DC evolves around the concepts of elearning, networking, and open-sourcing. The main objectives were to develop a 3D enriched virtual learning environment integrated with a 3D archive mechanism of digital models and images of student work, in combination with possible linking mechanism to future UCL/Bartlett tools such as a renderfarm and the Digital Manufacturing facility in Wates House. It is one of my prerogatives to continue developing AC_DC and its research agenda and to promote the design output resulting from its advances.
• 2007-… CyberBaroque.
F(r)ictions between Analogue Interfaces and Digital Intrafaces.
Publication and Exhibition. Research into performative non-scripted, non-parametric digital design theories. Dissemination through publications and exhibitions. The research attempts to provide an analogy to today’s actuality-digitality feedback system by looking at how the Baroque discovered and also shattered a plethora of binary conditions, boundaries and frames that seem remarkably contemporary within a contemporary digital architectural debate. Such approach favours the formulation of DigiTales - digital narratives about the strange, other and alien as well as the familiar, intimate and contextualised - that discern (actually reveal) a whole series of events and haecceities within digitality beyond the usual aspects of techniques, technologies and technicalities. The concept generates various design briefs (London, Innsbruck University), student workshops, and lectures, as well as in 1 chapter in the 2009 book Nordic Talking and other publications.
Publication and Exhibition. Research into performative non-scripted, non-parametric digital design theories. Dissemination through publications and exhibitions. The research attempts to provide an analogy to today’s actuality-digitality feedback system by looking at how the Baroque discovered and also shattered a plethora of binary conditions, boundaries and frames that seem remarkably contemporary within a contemporary digital architectural debate. Such approach favours the formulation of DigiTales - digital narratives about the strange, other and alien as well as the familiar, intimate and contextualised - that discern (actually reveal) a whole series of events and haecceities within digitality beyond the usual aspects of techniques, technologies and technicalities. The concept generates various design briefs (London, Innsbruck University), student workshops, and lectures, as well as in 1 chapter in the 2009 book Nordic Talking and other publications.
• 2006-7 2&½D (Twoandahalf Dimensionality).
The research conceptualises a digital limbo of intermediary digitally drawn constructs between images and things that convey twoandahalf dimensional (2&½D) properties. The main objectives were to create 2D digital drawings that are purely digital, vectorial and splinear to describe 2&½D convoluted line fields and blurry holographic fields. The research is based on a distinguished use of 2D and 3D software packages and computer hardware, in particular thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) displays beyond their normal performance. 2&½D resulted into the publication 2&½D Twoandahalf Dimensionality / Zweieinhalbdimensionalität, Bucher Hohenems (ISBN 978-3-
902525-482), and was exhibited on various occasions in London (Victoria and Albert Museum, Royal Academy and other) and abroad (Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia).
• 2000-08 Digital Poetics: An Enquiry into the Properties of ‘Mimetic Intrafaces’ and the
‘Twoandahalf Dimensionality’ of Computer-Aided Architectural Design.
Ph.D. thesis by Architectural Design, 679 pages. Under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Hill and Prof. Philip Tabor, the Bartlett, UCL London. External examiners: ass. Prof. Ben Nicholson (SAIC Chicago), Prof. Tony Dunne (RCA London). Field of study: Architectural Digital Design and Theory. The written and pictorial work ventures to grasp the properties of ‘Mimetic Intrafaces’ and the ‘Twoandahalf Dimensionality’ of computer-aided architectural design (CAAD). It attempts to bridge the gap between architectural theory and the built environment by providing a phenomenological alternative to the understanding and the production of CAAD, hitherto less theorised, discussed and taught than contemporary educational doctrines built upon strict, methodological, linear design techniques. Throughout the thesis, the concept of ‘volution’ is adopted in order to spiral around (advolution), away (devolution), and back towards (evolution), to penetrate inwards (involution) and egress from (revolution) a designer–digitality interaction and feedback system. Multiple viewpoints of observation are thus proposed in order to reveal, or at least approach, Digital Poetics. The thesis was awarded a 3 years UCL Graduate School Research Scholarship (£11,000 per annum), a 3 years Postgraduate Stipendium (€4,000 per annum), and was nominated for the Outstanding PhD Thesis award, RIBA London in 2009.
‘Twoandahalf Dimensionality’ of Computer-Aided Architectural Design.
Ph.D. thesis by Architectural Design, 679 pages. Under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Hill and Prof. Philip Tabor, the Bartlett, UCL London. External examiners: ass. Prof. Ben Nicholson (SAIC Chicago), Prof. Tony Dunne (RCA London). Field of study: Architectural Digital Design and Theory. The written and pictorial work ventures to grasp the properties of ‘Mimetic Intrafaces’ and the ‘Twoandahalf Dimensionality’ of computer-aided architectural design (CAAD). It attempts to bridge the gap between architectural theory and the built environment by providing a phenomenological alternative to the understanding and the production of CAAD, hitherto less theorised, discussed and taught than contemporary educational doctrines built upon strict, methodological, linear design techniques. Throughout the thesis, the concept of ‘volution’ is adopted in order to spiral around (advolution), away (devolution), and back towards (evolution), to penetrate inwards (involution) and egress from (revolution) a designer–digitality interaction and feedback system. Multiple viewpoints of observation are thus proposed in order to reveal, or at least approach, Digital Poetics. The thesis was awarded a 3 years UCL Graduate School Research Scholarship (£11,000 per annum), a 3 years Postgraduate Stipendium (€4,000 per annum), and was nominated for the Outstanding PhD Thesis award, RIBA London in 2009.
• 1998-99 Play Please
Under the supervision of Prof. Sir Peter Cook and Arch. Yael Reisner at the Bartlett. Research into child’s play as model for interactive systems, and into the absence of softness and cuteness within the architectural vocabulary. Projects play with CAD software to inform architectural geometries beyond the hard-lined attitude of folds and triangulations. The projects Medusa, Besking and Basking have been published and exhibited internationally. Awarded a distinction.
2) Social systems (urbanity, sub-cultures, body)
Research into socio-political aspects on various scales, investigating the relationships between objects and body, and objects and cities.
Research into socio-political aspects on various scales, investigating the relationships between objects and body, and objects and cities.
• 2010-… Miniatecture
The research investigates a new era of miniaturization within digital architecture. It aims at the contextualisation of contemporary sub-cultures that still have to emerge to the mainstream discourse and aesthetic sensibility, and at the translation of precise formal, material-related, behavioural and socio-political phenomena into digital design. Addressing a reinstated discourse on beauty in architecture, the research and the design propose novel processes, protocols and rituals of aestheticisation. The main objectives are targeted at the emergence of new digitally fabricated objects of desire, lust and passion—prototypes for everyday utensils for the near future. The research has been awarded an 'Artists' grant (Künstlerförderung), Amt für Kultur, Autonome Provinz Bozen, Italy 2009 (€12,600)', which helped developing a series of fetish household objects (Ugloids). The theme is was undertaken as design brief in my design studio at UT Arlington TX USA and Westminster University in London.
The research investigates a new era of miniaturization within digital architecture. It aims at the contextualisation of contemporary sub-cultures that still have to emerge to the mainstream discourse and aesthetic sensibility, and at the translation of precise formal, material-related, behavioural and socio-political phenomena into digital design. Addressing a reinstated discourse on beauty in architecture, the research and the design propose novel processes, protocols and rituals of aestheticisation. The main objectives are targeted at the emergence of new digitally fabricated objects of desire, lust and passion—prototypes for everyday utensils for the near future. The research has been awarded an 'Artists' grant (Künstlerförderung), Amt für Kultur, Autonome Provinz Bozen, Italy 2009 (€12,600)', which helped developing a series of fetish household objects (Ugloids). The theme is was undertaken as design brief in my design studio at UT Arlington TX USA and Westminster University in London.
• 2006-… InterPolis
The main objectives are to implement design computing to calculate, predict and generate urban visions with accurate, manageable and adaptive models of future sustainable and self-sufficient architectural, urban and agro-political strategies for extreme rural, desert and urban environments. A major area of research could be covered by the Middle East Research Group MERG, which I am planning to found (with M Cruz) in 2011 and in collaboration with other Bartlett and UCL departments. Research was undertaken recently as design briefs in my design studio at UCLA Los Angeles and Westminster University in London. marcosandmarjan's Agropolis project was selected to be featured on Designboom and other publications, and 2 tutored student projects were awarded honourable mentions at 2 international competitions (New York USA and Mumbai India) related to the theme.
The main objectives are to implement design computing to calculate, predict and generate urban visions with accurate, manageable and adaptive models of future sustainable and self-sufficient architectural, urban and agro-political strategies for extreme rural, desert and urban environments. A major area of research could be covered by the Middle East Research Group MERG, which I am planning to found (with M Cruz) in 2011 and in collaboration with other Bartlett and UCL departments. Research was undertaken recently as design briefs in my design studio at UCLA Los Angeles and Westminster University in London. marcosandmarjan's Agropolis project was selected to be featured on Designboom and other publications, and 2 tutored student projects were awarded honourable mentions at 2 international competitions (New York USA and Mumbai India) related to the theme.
• 1991-97 Sarajevo 2000+
Under the supervision of Prof. Volker Giencke at the University of Innsbruck. Research into a new urban master planning for post-war Sarajevo, and design of the New Identity Museum. The design explores the possibility of anthropomorphism in urban design, and mixed complex typologies. Awarded a distinction.
Under the supervision of Prof. Volker Giencke at the University of Innsbruck. Research into a new urban master planning for post-war Sarajevo, and design of the New Identity Museum. The design explores the possibility of anthropomorphism in urban design, and mixed complex typologies. Awarded a distinction.
3) Digital Tectonics (morphologies, ornamentation)
Research into novel morphologies, topologies and typologies, investigating digital fabrication and manufacturing protocols as ways of hybridising structure, space and ornamentation.
Research into novel morphologies, topologies and typologies, investigating digital fabrication and manufacturing protocols as ways of hybridising structure, space and ornamentation.
• 2010-… Future Living
This research program looks at how digital technologies can have a real impact on a domestic scale on future living. The research is driven by innovative product and sustainable furniture design and is directed at speculative dwelling typologies, aiming at maximal impact on, and transference to, the specialised industry and the global market. A series of 1:1 prototypes – based on the experience of the Nurbster series but implementing now different 4D modelling techniques and CNC manufacturing technologies as well as digital and responsive technologies – is currently being designed or produced. This include the Recording Studio study for a recording studio at the Working Men’s Club in Bethnal
Green London, the Foldster I installation for the Christ Church exhibition in London, the Foldster II (Molly Wally) stand for the Nanotechnology Department UCL for the 350th Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall. The major output will be a built 900m2 residence in Hsinchu Taiwan.
This research program looks at how digital technologies can have a real impact on a domestic scale on future living. The research is driven by innovative product and sustainable furniture design and is directed at speculative dwelling typologies, aiming at maximal impact on, and transference to, the specialised industry and the global market. A series of 1:1 prototypes – based on the experience of the Nurbster series but implementing now different 4D modelling techniques and CNC manufacturing technologies as well as digital and responsive technologies – is currently being designed or produced. This include the Recording Studio study for a recording studio at the Working Men’s Club in Bethnal
Green London, the Foldster I installation for the Christ Church exhibition in London, the Foldster II (Molly Wally) stand for the Nanotechnology Department UCL for the 350th Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall. The major output will be a built 900m2 residence in Hsinchu Taiwan.
• 2008-09 Exuberance. New Virtuosity in Contemporary Digital Architecture.
Commissioned guest-editor of the 80th anniversary AD Architectural Design and AD re-design launch issue, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester UK, pp. 1-104 of 144.
Commissioned guest-editor of the 80th anniversary AD Architectural Design and AD re-design launch issue, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester UK, pp. 1-104 of 144.
• 2008 RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) Evaluated Research Output
Research and research-led design projects submitted to the 2008 RAE both by the Bartlett School of Architecture (http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/9741/1/9741.pdf) as well as by Westminster University London
(http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/view/people/Colletti,_Marjan.html):
o 75th Book Fair Lisbon (collaborator, co-author)
o Xiyuan Entertainment Complex (principal investigator, co-author)
o Nurbsters (principal investigator, co-author)
o Interfaces/Intrafaces (collaborator.co-author)
Research and research-led design projects submitted to the 2008 RAE both by the Bartlett School of Architecture (http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/9741/1/9741.pdf) as well as by Westminster University London
(http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/view/people/Colletti,_Marjan.html):
o 75th Book Fair Lisbon (collaborator, co-author)
o Xiyuan Entertainment Complex (principal investigator, co-author)
o Nurbsters (principal investigator, co-author)
o Interfaces/Intrafaces (collaborator.co-author)
• 2006-10 Convoluted Flesh. A Synthetic Approach to Analogue and Digital Architecture.
The research questions the nature of contemporary digital design and especially architectural education. Against a dogmatic, doctrinaire and prescriptive didactic approach, Convoluted Flesh favours organic spatial and strategic vision of design based on synthesis, interdisciplinarity and blur. Research (with M Cruz) has been developed in line with a series of conceptual, theoretical and historic arguments that were generated through intense design experimentation. It focuses on innovative explorations in the realm of digital architecture; a new ornamental dimension of
contemporary design; and advanced design/manufacturing processes and the creative methodology that underlines their application and use. A crucial part of these investigations are explored through architectural spaces that have a heightened spiritual dimension. A major article was featured in Protoarchitecture, AD Architectural Design, guest-ed. by Bob Sheil, John Wiley & Sons Chichester UK. The research had major output in form of 2 important exhibitions at Christ Church London and the participation at this year's Architecture Biennale in Venice. A bilingual English-Chinese 352 pages monograph (AADCU Beijing China) featuring marcosandmarjan and their students' work is currently being produced to frame the research agenda and to conclude this project.
The research questions the nature of contemporary digital design and especially architectural education. Against a dogmatic, doctrinaire and prescriptive didactic approach, Convoluted Flesh favours organic spatial and strategic vision of design based on synthesis, interdisciplinarity and blur. Research (with M Cruz) has been developed in line with a series of conceptual, theoretical and historic arguments that were generated through intense design experimentation. It focuses on innovative explorations in the realm of digital architecture; a new ornamental dimension of
contemporary design; and advanced design/manufacturing processes and the creative methodology that underlines their application and use. A crucial part of these investigations are explored through architectural spaces that have a heightened spiritual dimension. A major article was featured in Protoarchitecture, AD Architectural Design, guest-ed. by Bob Sheil, John Wiley & Sons Chichester UK. The research had major output in form of 2 important exhibitions at Christ Church London and the participation at this year's Architecture Biennale in Venice. A bilingual English-Chinese 352 pages monograph (AADCU Beijing China) featuring marcosandmarjan and their students' work is currently being produced to frame the research agenda and to conclude this project.
